SWEET REVENGE (He Betrayed Me, Now He Must Pay )

CHAPTER 1

Today, I got released for a crime I hadn't committed in the first place.

Sudden lights snap me out of my thoughts as the sound of clicking drags me back to the present.

Reporters.

Fucking reporters.

A bunch of them flooded me at once, crowding me as they took shots after shots, shouting incoherent words at me.

Words that I had to strain my ears to hear. Honestly, I wish I hadn't.

"It's Mrs. Clara, the ex of Mr. Derrick!"

Ex?

What the hell were they talking about?

I shake my head a bit, not wanting to pay them any heed as I try to push through them. Reporters and their gibbering.

"Ma'am! What do you have to say after three years?"

Where the hell are they coming from? I push harder, ducking my head to avoid more cameras.

"Are you even supposed to be out yet? The police claimed your case was rather dire. Is that so?"

Urgh, for Christ's sake, let me pass!

I try to duck further away, but a sharp pain soon stings my skull as someone mistakenly tugs at my hair.

I'm about to give them a piece of my mind when someone says something that makes me halt.

"Mrs. Clara, how do you feel about your ex-husband getting married on the day of your release?"

Huh?

Slowly, I turn around to look at the reporter who'd just spoken.

"W...what the hell did you just say?"

He wouldn't dare.

"Mr. Derrick is getting married to Ms. Florida at Saint James Cathedral as we speak. How do you feel about that? Do you consent to their marriage?" The reporter repeats, pushing her hand forward to hand me the microphone.

I blink, but I'm still standing where I'm stationed.

This is not a dream.

"You... you're lying." I force out the words. Derrick wouldn't do that to me.

He... he loves me.

The reporter clicks her tongue, digs through her bag, and slips out her device before playing a video.

..A live video of Derrick in the same church where we'd gotten married, saying vows to Florida, my best friend.

My entire being pales as I stumble a few steps back, almost about to fall, but I steady myself. Tears burned my eyes as I steadied my gaze on my husband, now passionately kissing Florida.

A sudden ache rises in my chest as I turn around.

Rage. Blind fucking rage ripples through my bones as I force my tears down. I run my fingers through my hair, and I tug at them tightly.

I've never felt this angry.

It feels as if my head.. my head..

"Mrs Clara?"

..It's about to fucking explode.

"Talk to us, do you contest Mr. Derrick's marriage to Ms. Florida?"

I needed to calm myself down.

"Mrs. Clara Anthony?"

I needed to..

My eyes snap towards a police man stationed at the front of the building, my eyes rake him before slowly landing on the gun hoisted on his waist.

I know I shouldn't, but at this point...

Sending my right leg forward, I take a step, and another, grab the gun from the officer, and soon I'm speeding across the lot like a crazed woman.

..But at this point, I'm not thinking at all.

I took the fall for that bastard.

I ruined my life for that fucking bastard.

I was in jail for that fucking bastard!

And he repays me by marrying my best friend on the day of my release?

"Taxi!" I flag down the nearest cab, not minding the growing noise from the reporters sprinting behind me.

"Saint James Cathedral."

The man nods and steps on the gas.

I hold the metal in my grip tighter.

It's my first day out in three years, and I can't even look at the roads.

||

Once the driver pulls up into the church, I dash out without thinking twice.

The cab driver yells about something concerning his payment, but I don't stop.

I can't stop.

Without even thinking twice, I pushed the double doors of the cathedral; the screeching sound had everyone on their feet in seconds, snapping their heads towards me.

"Stop this wedding!" I yell, raising the metal in my hand shakily. Murmurs fill the air as eyes turn to me. Some looked frightened, others gazed at me in pity.

My grip tightens on the gun either way.

Derrick..

My eyes burn as I match forward, my body trembling with rage. I pause some meters away from the altar, eyes locked on my husband.

..And his soon-to-be bride.

"Clara, what–"

Derrick's words are barely out before I send my hand forward, slamming the body of the gun against his head brutally.

I've never done this before, hurt anyone, but..

I stagger back.

Anger. I'm so angry.

Thick red blood spurts out as screams, Derrick's and others fill the air.

"AH!" He screams out, palms flying to his forehead where the gun got him clean.

Blood pumps out, causing Florida's eyes to widen as she instantly glares at me.

"How dare you?!" I scream, my blood pumping as I move to take another hit.

"Seize her!" Amidst the pain, my husband regains the energy to scream, and soon a pair of strong arms grabs me from behind.

I lift my feet, fighting, trashing, as violent screams after screams tear out of my lips.

"You can't do this to me, Derrick!" I shout, my eye shifting to Florida, causing yet another stab of pain.

How could she?

"You don't get to own everything." Florida seizes me up then snarls, hugging her measly bouquet closer.

"What are you waiting for? Take that bitch out of here now!"

The familiar stern voice of Mr. Anthony, Derrick's father, radiates through the air, causing the men to drag me faster.

Clicks after click were heard as people took shots of me, murmuring all horrible things.

Amidst the noise, I feel a particular gaze piercing into my forehead, and my eyes snap up, and I am met with a pair of very familiar emerald eyes.

He leans across the pillar, a cigar pinched between two fingers. Raven hair shielding almost half of his face.

But those eyes.. I could swear I've seen them before.

In an instant, I'm jolted out of my thoughts as my body is flung harshly out of the church. My knees scrape the asphalt, tearing away part of my kneecap.

"Ah!" I scream out.

Now that the adrenaline is gone, the pain hits me with a force.

My husband, whom I'd taken the fall for, was getting married to my best friend.

I will make them pay.

They will fucking pay!

CHAPTER 2

My heart was thudding loudly as I stepped back into the empty mansion. Surprisingly, the door clicked open when I pushed.

It's been three years since I last stepped foot here. The room still smelt like ash and his cologne, and for a moment, the scent tempts me to breathe it in but I restrain myself. Everything in here screams Derrick: the expensive looking clock, the paintings, the awards and certificates decorating the walls...

A gut-punching feeling hit me as I remembered the happy life we used to have. Well, that I thought we had.

I sniffed back my tears and walked forward. I only came here for my daughter, Rose -the sweet daughter I bore for Derrick before I went to prison.

I didn't see her at the wedding, that means she must be here, right? Would she still remember me?

I would take her away from here to a place where Derrick would never find us. A place where nobody knew my name or my story or my shame.

This horror of a marriage was over.

"Rose?" I called out softly.

I was about to step into the bedroom when the full volume of the television caught my attention. My eyes were drawn to the images displayed on the large screen. The pixels unblurred, and I realized what was currently playing was... me.

The wedding I had been dragged out of, my husband's wedding, was trending mostly because I dared to point a gun at the golden girl of the people, the actress they worshipped.

The woman is now married to my husband.

Comments flooded the bottom of the screen in an endless stream. People who didn't know me but hated me anyway were typing cruel words.

[She deserves to be taken back to prison for ruining this event!]

[How dare she take a gun to the wedding? She's a thug!]

[She's always been a snake. Now the world knows it!]

[Stealing from her own father-in-law and still acting bold? Fucked up bitch!]

I ran my fingers through my disheveled waves, sticky from sweat.

I sank onto the couch and clutched the hem of my dress so tightly that my knuckles turned pale. My throat felt raw, and my heart was torn between anger and sorrow.

For a brief moment, I let myself sink into memory, into the cruel twist of fate that had brought me here.

I remembered the night Derrick came to me, his face pale as his body trembled like a boy who was caught stealing toys from his father's basement. The only difference was that what he stole wasn't sugar.

It was millions.

"Clara." He'd whispered. "You have to help me. You're the only one I can trust."

I'd just given birth to Rose then.

He stood at the edge of the bed with desperation in his eyes. And though every instinct told me something was wrong, my foolish, loyal heart beat only for him.

"What is it, Derrick?" I'd asked, cradling our newborn, as exhaustion took over me.

"I took money." He'd confessed. "I had to. Father wouldn't listen. He doesn't believe in me or my ideas. He treats me like I'm nothing compared to my brother. But I have a plan, Clara, I swear it. There's an investment that will change everything."

After a brief silence, he continued. "I'll triple the money. But if he finds out.. if he knows I took it.. he'll strip me of everything. He'll give the company to my brother. And I can't lose it. I can't lose my birthright."

He sank to his knees beside me and grabbed my hands.

"Please. Please, Clara. Take the blame. If it comes out, let it fall on you. He already hates you, doesn't he? He never wanted me to marry you because you're the adopted daughter of his rival. He'll believe it was you. He'll arrest you, yes, but I'll fix it. I'll find a way to clear you. Just-please-don't let him see me as a thief. Don't let him take everything from me."

I saw the man I loved, broken and terrified of the consequences of his actions.

I didn't see manipulation. I didn't see how it made no sense for a man to claim to love me yet want me to take a fall just weeks after I had given birth.

So I agreed.

And his father didn't hesitate. He ordered my arrest like he had been waiting for this chance.

And through it all, I told myself it was worth it. That Derrick would protect me.

How blind I was.

A sob rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. I dragged myself off the couch to get some water. I was desperate for something to wash away what I felt.

The kitchen felt like it was miles away, and I staggered, trying to hold myself together as I moved.

And soon enough, I heard a sound.

It sounded similar to a cry.

..Right?

At first, I thought it was my imagination. Maybe the pain of the heartache and betrayal I'd felt in my chest was getting to me.

But no-it was real. I moved closer and found out it was a faint sound coming from the room at the end of the hallway -quiet muffled sobs.

I stopped in my tracks as my heart sped up.

Curiosity pushed me forward, even though every muscle in my body and all my instincts screamed at me to turn back.

My bare feet moved silently over the tiles, and my fingers were trembling as I reached the door. I pressed my ear against the cool wood and waited.

My body jumps back as a loud bang echoes through the room, whipping my body around. I take a step backwards.

But it's too late. The door slowly crept open, causing my eyes to widen at the sight before me.

CHAPTER 3

My breath caught in my throat, the sight before me nearly ripped my soul apart.

A little girl curled up on the edge of the bed, her tiny fists scrubbing at her wet cheeks; beside her lay a broken lamp. But it wasn't her tears that froze me-it was her eyes.

Those round brown eyes, framed with long lashes, were mine.

Her straight nose looked so much like Derrick's that I didn't need anyone to confirm what my heart already screamed.

This was my baby.

The reason why I came back to this damned apartment.

"Rose.." My lips formed around her name.

That was the same name I had whispered against her soft hair when she was only hours old.

I still remember it after three years.

Her head jerked up in confusion as she blinked at me.

"Rose. It's me."

Her tiny mouth parted. And then she asked the question that shattered me.

"Who are you?"

The words struck harder than anything could. My knees went weak, but I forced myself to stay upright and kept my gaze steady on her.

"I'm your mother."

I paused.

"I'm your mother, Rose."

Rose's face instantly crumpled into anger.

"No, you're not!" She yelled, her small fists tightening against the sheets. "You can't be! My parents are getting married today! And you know what's funny? They didn't even let me go. They locked me in here!"

Her little voice broke on the last word, and tears welled again in her eyes.

I froze, pain spiking upwards. Derrick had promised to tell my daughter about me, but now, not only had he lied to her, but he caged her, too?

Had my baby been treated like an inconvenience on the very day her father was marrying another woman?

"Rose.." I whispered, sinking onto the edge of the bed.

My hands trembled as I reached for her. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry, honey."

Tears burn my eyes, but this time I let them flow.

For a moment, she stared at me with scrutiny. Then slowly, she leaned into me. Her tiny body trembled as she buried her face into my dress.

"They don't deserve you," I murmured into her hair.

I'll never let anyone hurt you again.

Before I could say more, her stomach growled loudly. She blinked in embarrassment, and I smiled faintly.

"Come," I said, brushing her cheek. "Let me make you something. You must be hungry."

We sat in the living room a short while later with two milkshakes that I had prepared.

Rose held her cup tightly with both hands and sipped eagerly, her eyes watching me over the rim of the cup.

"But really, who are you?" She asked again.

I sighed. "I told you, Rose. I'm your mother. The one who held you when you were born. The one who-"

But I didn't get to finish.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, and my body stiffened as I turned to see Derrick.

He was standing tall with a cold expression plastered across his face as he took in the scene in front of him.

There's a bloodied bandage wrapped around his forehead.

Behind him was Florida.

Her eyes locked onto me, and her face turned bright red.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" She shrieked. Her voice was so sharp it made Rose flinch. "Stop feeding my daughter lies!"

Lies?

Her daughter?

The words sent fire through me, and I rose immediately. My hands were shaking so much that my milkshake glass slipped from my grip and shattered across the floor.

"Your daughter?"

I tried to cool my temper.

"Don't you dare. Rose is mine. She is my child!"

Florida's mouth twisted into a smirk. "You're pathetic. Even in your delusion, you cling to a child who doesn't even know you?"

Rose's wide eyes darted between all of us in confusion.

"W-what are you talking about?" She asked in a trembling voice.

I turned to her, desperate that she believed me. "Rose, listen to me. I am your mother. I gave birth to you. I-"

But Derrick cut me off instantly. His voice was cold as he bent down to her eye level.

"Rose.. don't listen to her. She's not well. She... she's a sick woman who claims things that aren't true. She's not your mother, Florida is."

Rose's little face twisted into fear. "She's lying?"

"Yes," Derrick said firmly, his hand stroking her hair. "Florida is your real mother. That woman... she's just a lunatic."

The word stabbed through me. Rose's gaze turned to me in fear before she ran into Florida's waiting arms.

Florida smirked and patted Rose's back. "Come, darling. Don't let that crazy woman upset you anymore."

Soon enough, she disappeared with Rose into one of the rooms.

Now, it was just Derrick and me.

For a long time, no one talked until I asked the question that had been eating at me since I walked out of prison.

"Why?"

His mouth opened, closed, then opened again, searching for excuses. But he couldn't find any.

In the end, he just said. "You know why. My father never supported us. He would rather see me dead than married to you."

My lips parted, a bitter laugh escaping. "That's your excuse? That's why you let me rot in prison? That's why you erased me from my own child's life? That's why you didn't tell her about me?"

His jaw tightened, but he didn't answer. He just reached into his pocket and pulled out a cheque book, then scribbled quickly and tore out a page, giving it to me.

"Take this." He said. "5 million. Enough for you to start over. Leave Rose and me alone. You've suffered enough, don't make it worse for yourself."

I stared at the cheque in disbelief, before bursting into a crazed laugh.

"You really think money can fix this?" I hissed and stepped closer to him. "I built my own company before you destroyed me, so I don't need your money. All I need is my daughter."

"Clara-"

"No." I jabbed a finger at him, trembling with rage. "I will get her back. Do you hear me, Derrick? You can try to poison her mind, but she's mine. And I will fight for her with every breath I have left."

His eyes narrowed. "You don't have the means."

"I don't care if I have to burn in hell or sell my soul to the fucking devil, but you will pay." I grit my teeth.

"Mark my words, you will pay," I growl, shoving him aside as I strut out with one thing in mind.

I need to rip Derrick apart.

I need to get my business in line.